Recent advances in autoimmune encephalitis

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2024 Dec;82(12):1-13. doi: 10.1055/s-0044-1793933. Epub 2024 Dec 20.

Abstract

Since the description of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies (anti-NMDARE) in 2007, more than 12 other clinical syndromes and antibodies have been reported. In this article, we review recent advances in pathophysiology, genetics, diagnosis pitfalls, and clinical phenotypes of AE associated with cell surface antibodies and anti-GAD associated neurological syndromes. Genetic studies reported human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations for anti-LGI1, anti-Caspr2, anti-IgLON5, and anti-GAD. Follow-up studies characterized cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric symptoms, sleep disorders, and adaptative behavior dysfunction, mainly for anti-NMDARE. Late-onset anti-NMDARE and anti- GABA-B receptor (GABA-BR) encephalitis patients were described to have worse prognoses and different tumor associations. Additionally, the clinical spectrum of anti-LGI1, anti-AMPAR, anti-CASPR2, and anti-IgLON5 was expanded, comprising new differential diagnoses. The diagnostic criteria for AE were adapted to the pediatric population, and a diagnostic algorithm was proposed, considering potential mimics and misdiagnosis. We also review the limitations of commercial assays for AE and treatment recommendations, as well as clinical scales for short and long-term assessment of AE patients, along with cognitive evaluation.

Desde a descrição da encefalite autoimune (EA) associada a anticorpos contra o receptor N-methyl-D-aspartate (anti-NMDARE) em 2007, mais de 12 síndromes clínicas e anticorpos foram reportados. Neste artigo, revisamos avanços recentes na fisiopatologia, genética, diagnóstico e fenótipos clínicos da EA associada a anticorpos contra antígenos de superfície e das síndromes neurológicas associadas aos anticorpos anti-acido glutâmico decarboxilase (glutamic acid decarboxylase, GAD, em inglês). Estudos genéticos revelaram associações do antígeno leucocitário humano (human leukocyte antigen, HLA, en inglês) com as EAs anti-LGI1, anti-Caspr2, anti-IgLON5 e anti-GAD. Estudos de seguimento caracterizaram disfunção cognitiva, sintomas psiquiátricos, distúrbios do sono e disfunção do comportamento adaptativo, principalmente para anti-NMDARE. Apresentações tardias de anti-NMDARE e anti-GABA-BR foram associadas a outros tumores e a pior desfecho. Ademais, o fenótipo clínico de anti-LGI1, anti-AMPAR, anti-CASPR2 e anti-IgLON5 foi expandido, englobando outros diagnósticos diferenciais. Os critérios diagnósticos para a EA foram adaptados para a população pediátrica, e foi proposto um novo algoritmo diagnóstico levando em consideração potenciais condições mimetizadoras e erros diagnósticos. Foram revisadas também as limitações dos kits comerciais para testagem, recomendações atuais para o tratamento e escalas clínicas para o seguimento de curto e longo-prazo dos pacientes, incluindo a avaliação cognitiva.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies* / immunology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Encephalitis* / diagnosis
  • Encephalitis* / immunology
  • Encephalitis* / physiopathology
  • Hashimoto Disease / diagnosis
  • Hashimoto Disease / immunology
  • Hashimoto Disease / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate

Supplementary concepts

  • Hashimoto's encephalitis